More facts on Bed Bugs
More Facts on Bed Bugs
If you were to stop and ask someone walking down the street, “what is a bed
bug?” they probably wouldn’t be able to give you the correct answer. They might
say that it is an insect that crawls around in your bed, but would they know
that this same insect also feeds off your blood. They probably would not, except
if you stopped someone in New York City. New York City isn’t just one of the
largest cities; it is also ranked among the cities with the greatest population
of bed bugs.
So, let’s get back to the above question. Bed bugs are referred to by the
scientific community as Cimex lectularius and can be discovered all over the
world. Bed bugs are especially widespread in poor third world nations. Bed bugs
were almost a thing of the past because of the pesticide DDT, but due to it
being banned in the early 1970s bed bugs are creating a stir once again. With
the ban of DDT and international travel, bed bugs are growing in numbers all
over our country.
Bed bugs are about ¼ in. long and are a shade of brown with a hint of red. They
have flat bodies and no wings. They sleep during the day and drink your blood at
night while you sleep. A popular time for their feedings is between 3 am and 4
am. It’s not only your warm body that they are attracted to, but the bodies of
your pets as well. Bed bugs stick their tiny beaks into your flesh and suck up
your blood through two hollow tubes. You will not feel this because of the
anesthetics in their saliva. Bed bugs typically live for a few months to a year,
but can live as long as two years.
The first thing you will notice when you wake up in the morning is a line of
welts that are inflamed and itchy. They are in a line because the bed bug will
follow along your veins sucking your blood, just like feasting on a buffet. One
positive aspect of bed bugs is that they do not pass along any harmful diseases.
Infections can occur though if you scratch them enough. The best thing to do
when you correctly identify your bites as those from a bed bug is to apply an
anti-itch cream containing hydrocortisone and if needed a Benadryl.
If you discover that bed bugs have taken over your home there are things that
you can to do get rid of them. Products which include diatomaceous earth have
been proven to be strong and effective in destroying bed bugs. Be sure to
purchase a product containing food grade diatomaceous earth. It is nontoxic and
will save you the cost of a professional exterminator.
By: Bradley Skierkowski